Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program
November 9, 2001
Employees of the Department of Energy (DOE) who believe they contracted cancer or lung disease due to overexposure to radiation, beryllium or silica while working in a DOE facility are now eligible for compensation from the government. The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program provides eligible and former employees with $150,000 and payment of medical expenses if they meet specific guidelines created by the Department of Health and Human Services. The Department of Energy estimates a total of 317 nuclear-weapons sites employed over 650,000 workers during the Cold War. The government has acknowledged that some of these workers may have contracted cancer and lung disease due to exposure to radioactive materials and other toxic substances.
Uranium miners and milers who have contracted the same illnesses are also eligible for benefits under the new program. Eligible workers will receive $50,000 and payment of medical expenses. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the new program will cost roughly $2 billion over the next decade. Compensation is also available to dependants of deceased workers if they were dependant at the time of the worker's death.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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